Windows Guru with Mac Mini

P

pluggy

Guest
The Mac Mini is working bringing in windows converts - I'm one.

I want a machine I can recommend to users (I'm a PC Network Manager in a school) that isn't going to be infected with crap a week after they first surf the internet with it. I spend a lot of time 'delousing' PCs infected with the virus/spyware/malware cocktail that hangs around on todays internet. Its looking good, It does Web browsing, Email and Microsoft Office without a hitch which is pretty much what teachers use PCs for.

I've a couple of queries.

What are the Command and Options keys on a windows Keybaord ?

Why do Mac mice only have one button when 'right click' seems to do quite a bit in OSX ?

What is a good cheap/free SSH client to use ?

Is there a cheap/free Image editer where I can specify an image size in pixels ?

Thanks for your time

Stephen T
 
Joined
Jan 14, 2005
Messages
500
Reaction score
13
Points
18
Location
San Fransisco Bay Area, CA, USA
Your Mac's Specs
20" G5 iMac; 14.1" G4 iBook; 60Gig iPod Video
For a good, free image editing program I would reccomend Gimp. It is an X11 program so it can be a little slow to start up at first, but you really can't beat it for a free program.

-Chris
 
OP
P

pluggy

Guest
That looks like it might make a standard 256Mb mini cough a bit...... Something a little simpler, more windows paint than photoshop ? Thanks for the quick response BTW
 
Joined
Mar 30, 2004
Messages
4,744
Reaction score
381
Points
83
Location
USA
Your Mac's Specs
12" Apple PowerBook G4 (1.5GHz)
pluggy said:
...
What are the Command and Options keys on a windows Keybaord ?
I believe they are the Windows and Alt keys
Why do Mac mice only have one button when 'right click' seems to do quite a bit in OSX ?
The single-button mouse is for those who have never used computers before, and for longtime Mac users who are accustomed to it. Some people are quite productive with the single button, and even prefer it. All of the right-click options are duplicated in the menu bar in most apps, or via control-click (which is a pain.)

Many users choose to replace the Apple mouse, or never buy one in the first place. Apple, for reasons unknown to us, has never marketed a two-button mouse, even as an option.
What is a good cheap/free SSH client to use ?
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/14426
Is there a cheap/free Image editer where I can specify an image size in pixels ?
AppleWorks has a bitmapped painting component, which is actually a little more powerful than it looks. Preview can crop and convert images, and iPhoto is a good basic photo editor/manager.

You might find something else on Versiontracker, depending on your needs.
 
OP
P

pluggy

Guest
Thanks Guys. The cyberduck does the job, and I found 'Toyviewer' on Version Tracker which looks like just what I was after.
 
OP
D

Desolate One

Guest
Sorry I couldn't get on the boards earlier, however I would like to welcome you aboard! Always good to have another Windows Guru make the switch!
 
Joined
Feb 13, 2005
Messages
1,186
Reaction score
73
Points
48
Location
New Orleans, LA, USA
Your Mac's Specs
13" Macbook Pro 2.26Ghz Unibody 4G RAM 160G HDD Superdrive
I did the same. Well, actually switch primary home desktop from Linux to Mac Mini. I still use both Windows and Linux at work but I love to come home to my beloved Mac.

Anyway for an image editor yes Gimp is pretty good (if a bit kludgy) but I would consider Adobe Photoshop Elements. That can be gotten for less than $100 or if you purchase some scanners or drawing pads it'll come bundled with the device. It has a LOT of the features that the full version of Photoshop has, and a few that it hasn't. Mostly having to do with digital photography and things consumers would like to do (stitch panoramas, some picture packages, other stuff as well.) For the price it is a very well featured image editor, and if you learn how that works you are well on your way to know how to do a bunch of stuff in the full version of PS should you go down that road.

For ssh I was gonna just say that Terminal comes with a ssh client (along with those spiffy editors - vi, emacs, pico &c.) but it looks like you need enhanced functionality for things like FTP. I use cyberduck as well for that.
 
OP
T

Tom in AZ

Guest
I am also a normally a PC guy, so this G4 powerbook is a great learning experience for me. I am much happier with it than I was with the old mono macs & IIe I had back in Jr High school years ago.

I found this photo editing program that seems to work nicely, and the price tag isn't bad as well @ $19.95. Here is a link for it: http://www.miensoftware.com/photoedit.html
 
Joined
Aug 25, 2004
Messages
760
Reaction score
22
Points
18
Location
New Zealand
Your Mac's Specs
13" MBA. 15" MBP. iPhone 4. 3G Pad 2.
I'll second Toy Viewer, it's one neat program, for more options you could try Graphic converter on a free trial.
Have fun & Welcome.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top